How well are you received? Do you think you are liked by others? Do you like others? What are you doing that will cause others to like or dislike you? Are you working on yourself, looking transparently at yourself in the proverbial mirror? Are you willing to change into who God wants you to be?
As we go through this world, it is inevitable that we will be liked by some and disliked by others. It is also inevitable that we will like some and dislike others. Yet, why should it be this way? Sure, we will do things some people won’t like and there are people who will do things we don’t like. But why should that keep us from liking them, or loving them?
God has given us insight into how we are to behave throughout the Bible. Jesus taught many parables about behavior, even if we don’t always associate them to behavior. We often look at the wayward son who asked his father for his allotment of his father’s possessions, then squandered it all on raucous living, as being a loathsome person. Yet, when it was all said and done, he humbled himself as a servant (Luke 15:11-32). Behavior.
We see Jesus discuss the rescue of a lost sheep. His points out to us, if we were to lose a prize possession, we would go in search of it. He further tells us to do the same as our Heavenly Father does in seeking those who are lost (Matthew 18:10-14). Again, this is about our behavior. You don’t draw bees with vinegar but with honey.
In His simplest statement regarding behavior, Jesus tells us to do to others as we want them to do to us. So, going back to our questions above, what are you willing to change so others will like you, will want to be around you, will want to do for you? May I suggest the first step is to do for others?
When we do for others, we are typically blessed in triplicate. How can I say that? First, we are blessed with a feeling of accomplishment and well-being in our knowledge that we did something for someone else. Second, God blesses us for doing His work. Third, typically the other person shows some appreciation for our assistance, though this should not be the reason for us doing for others. It is a nice bonus when it happens.
I pray we all realize that it is by doing for others that we are blessed. I pray each of us will pursue doing more for others. I pray we all experience the peace and wellness of God as we do His work. It is only by doing His work that we can. Do for others. Be blessed by God. Become a joy to be around. Experience God’s peace.
Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
